Bradley Davids the hero as Sharks edge Munster in dramatic URC penalty shootout

In a game that had everything - tension, errors and moments of brilliance - it was replacement scrumhalf Bradley Davids who coolly slotted the decisive kick to send the Sharks into the semifinals.

For 80 minutes, the Sharks toiled, frustrated by their own inconsistency and Munster's clinical efficiency. At half-time, the hosts trailed 0-7 after a first-half riddled with handling errors and tactical shortcomings. Despite the heavy Springbok presence, the Sharks looked a shadow of the side that had surged into the playoffs.

Munster, led by the composed Jack Crowley, appeared clinical and in control, and extended their lead to 21-10 midway through the second half after tries from Josh Wycherley and Diarmuid Kilgallen.

But the Sharks had finally sparked into life in the second half, helped by their increasingly dominant scrum, and they were able to claw their way back into the contest via tries from the tenacious Ethan Hooker and fullback Aphelele Fassi.

Another try from Fez Mbatha in the 73rd minute gave the Sharks a slender 24-21 lead, but just when it seemed like they'd worn Munster down, a late penalty by Ireland veteran Conor Murray levelled matters at 24-all, sending the match into extra time.

Extra time was a scrappy, tense affair. The Sharks clearly had the upper hand in both periods, but fatigue and desperation saw chances squandered. With the teams still locked after 100 minutes - and even on tries - the contest went to a rare and historic place-kick penalty shootout.

Brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, along with Davids, stepped up for the Sharks, each tasked with taking two kicks from different places on the field.

The trio were flawless, slotting their first five kicks with nerveless precision, but Munster crucially missed one of their efforts, centre Rory Scannell failing to find the target with his first kick at goal.

In the end, it all came down to Davids - the relatively unheralded No. 21 - to finish the job.

The youngster calmly stepped forward as Kings Park held its breath, drilling his second kick through the uprights to seal a 6-5 victory in the shootout and send the Sharks into the URC semifinals for the first time in franchise history.

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